The launch of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe sees
BMW M GmbH revealing a new interpretation of the high-performance
sports car – and carrying the BMW M philosophy over into the fifth
generation of the M3. More than 40,000 examples of the
fourth-generation BMW M3 Coupe were built, and now the BMW M4 Coupe is
poised to continue this success story. The “M4” badge is a reference
to the model series that provides the basis for the new M model – and,
for the first time, the Coupe will be introduced at the same time as
the four-door variant. Logic dictates the latter will be christened
the BMW M3 Sedan.

“Four generations of the BMW M3 have blended motor sport genes and
uncompromised everyday usability within an emotionally rich overall
concept,” explains Dr Friedrich Nitschke, President BMW M GmbH. “The
BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe represent an ongoing commitment to this
philosophy. The engine is the heart of every M model, and the new
turbocharged six-cylinder unit fitted in the two new cars combines the
virtues of a high-revving naturally aspirated unit with the strengths
of turbocharger technology. A committed lightweight design concept
produces a weight saving of around 80 kilograms over the outgoing M3.
The BMW M3 and BMW M4 take motor sport technology from the track to
the road, and thousands of laps of the legendary Nürburgring
Nordschleife – the world’s most exacting race track – have readied the
new models for that transition. Meticulous and passion-fuelled
development work has underpinned the creation of two high-performance
sports cars that set new standards in terms of overall concept,
precision and agility.”

The high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo
technology newly developed for the new BMW M3 Sedan and new
BMW M4 Coupe produces a maximum output of 431 hp. Its peak torque of
550 Newton metres (406 lb-ft) is available across a wide rev band and
outstrips the figure recorded by the outgoing BMW M3 by roughly
40 per cent. And yet the engine also achieves a reduction in fuel
consumption and emissions of around 25 per cent. Both the BMW M3 Sedan
and BMW M4 Coupe cover the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h / 62 mph in
4.1 seconds (with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission).

In the interests of maximising dynamic ability and ensuring excellent
efficiency, weight savings of around 80 kilograms have been achieved
over a comparably equipped predecessor model. The BMW M4 Coupe, for
example, has a DIN kerb weight of 1,497 kilograms, thanks to the
rigorous application of intelligent lightweight design measures. These
include the increased use of lightweight materials such as
carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and aluminium for a number of
chassis and body components. Indeed, both models feature a carbon roof.

One of the primary objectives in the development of the BMW M3 Sedan
and BMW M4 Coupe was to ensure the new cars offered impressive race
track capability. Hence the presence of a track-specification cooling
system, which ensures that the optimum temperature balance for the
engine, turbochargers and transmission is maintained at all times.

In order to accentuate the racing character of the two models in
terms of both their technical composition and the fine-tuning of the
cars, the engineers worked closely with BMW Motorsport’s professional
racing drivers during the development phase. For example, DTM drivers
Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock took part in the extensive testing and
set-up work carried out at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit.